Requirements for the History Major
To complete the history major, students must take at least 50 credit hours of coursework in history beyond the introductory survey level.  These credit hours must include the two required courses noted below and at least 40 credit hours in the Geographical and Chronological categories outlined below.

Required Courses
History Requirements

History 398 (5 credits)  This course is the introduction to the major. Students must pass History 398 with a minimum grade of C before being admitted to the major. They should take History 398 as soon as possible after completing the GEC history sequence. History 598 (5 credits) This seminar is taken in the senior year. This course will either introduce students to research in the primary sources or will analyze the varying interpretations that historians have made about critical events or issues.

Geographical Requirements Students must take a minimum of 20 credits hours from a Primary Geographical Area.  These areas are: 1) Africa, 2) East Asia, 3) Latin America, 4) Near East, Middle East, and South Asia, 5) Europe, and 6) North America. Students must also take a minimum of 15 credit hours from two or more geographical areas other than the primary area.  Thus if a student chooses North America (Area 6) as a primary area, that person must take three courses from at least two of the other five areas.  Additionally, areas 1 through 4 are considered “Group A” and area 5 and 6 are considered “Group B.”  Students must choose 10 credits from a Group that is different from the Group in which the primary area falls.  Again, if North America (area 6) is the primary area, students must take two courses from Group A (areas 1 through 4).

Chronological Requirements Students must take at least 10 credit hours representing chronological periods before 1750 and at least 10 credit hours representing periods after 1750. The requirements listed above can be complicated, but the history advisor and the history faculty can guide students in planning their coursework.

In general, Mansfield students will choose North America or Europe as a primary geographical area because our selection of courses in the other areas is limited. Of course, students may choose to take courses in Columbus or at other regional campuses to supplement their program.